I was curious about this film mostly because of the excellent trailer involving the clapping game but also because of the reference to the Warrens. I was afraid that I would be too scared to watch it much less own it. Needless to say I was wrong although the film does spook me a bit no matter how much I have watched it.
This film is said to be based off of the true story of the haunting of the Perron family that occurred starting in 1971 in Rhode Island. This film also touches on (and as far as I can tell basically tells of) the story of the Annabelle doll that occurred in 1968. So this film is something of a two for one but I digress.
The Perron family consists of Roger Perron (played by Ron Livingston), Carolyn Perron (played by Lili Taylor), and their five daughters: Andrea (played Shanley Casswell), Nancy (played by Haley McFarland), Christine (played by Joey King), April (played by Kyla Deaver), and Cindy (played by Mackenzie Foy) There is also a dog named Sadie (although I haven't heard a reference to Sadie the dog in other things regarding this case so I'm not sure if in fact Sadie was real or just included in the film to add to the drama and suspense). Immediately after moving into their new home strange things start happening including the poor dog Sadie mysterious being strangled on her chain as she is tied to a chain in the front yard and unusual bruising happening on the Mrs. Perron. The events quickly escalate into more frightening occurrences including terrifying sounds and sights. I thought it was well done that at times the audience can't see or hear what the characters are seeing and hearing and it is left to the talent of the actors to convey to the audience by their reactions to events what is going on and how terrifying the sights and sounds are.
Meanwhile Ed Warren (played by Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (played by Vera Farmiga) are recovering from an exorcism that went wrong for Lorraine Warren. An attack of sorts happened resulting in Lorraine being physically and emotionally weakened. Ed is obviously concerned and appears to want Lorraine to recover fully before including her in any investigations.
After the events at the Perron house escalate to the point where both parents are convinced that their house is haunted, Carolyn seeks out the Warrens' help after reading about them and attending a lecture. The Warrens' agree but they obviously expect that they will find a rational explanation for the haunting. They find that they are dreadfully mistaken and as such undertake to assist the family in relieving their haunting. Research that the Warrens' come across shows that the "haunting" is much more severe and spread out than just the house and has affected people and situations for quite some time with the Perrons being only the latest victims. While the Warrens continue to investigate the haunting they themselves end up being afflicted by the same spirit that is terrorizing the Perrons.
This film is very well done. It is very well scripted and the actors are all very good. I particularly loved the portrayal of the Warrens. When I have heard of the Warrens they are always portrayed as behaving in a cold, scientific manner especially Ed Warren. Perhaps it is simply that they were being businesslike. I liked that Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga had very believable chemistry. I also liked that this film showed the Warrens as first trying to find rational explanations rather than simply assume that places are haunted. I also liked that there was an effort to properly educate people regarding hauntings and demonic activity. The scenes where Lorraine witnesses the "attachments" of the demon to the family were particularly striking I thought.
The film had quite a bit of accurate information neatly wrapped in it. But, as with any Hollywood film, there were liberties taken that I wasn't appreciative of. I learned of the liberties taken after doing further research. I find it disappointing when Hollywood takes liberties rather than relying on the actual events to tell the story because I would say eight times out of ten the real story is much more frightening than what Hollywood comes up with. Further I feel that it takes away from the real story and the real struggles that the real people went through.
All in all a very well done horror film but be aware that there are liberties taken and if you want the full true story you should do research. This film is rated R for a reason so I wouldn't recommend for people who are easily frightened, who don't like scary movies, or children.
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